Are Biden, Gore charity cheapskates?

April 27, 2012

Last Saturday, columnist Bill O’Reilly took Vice President Joe Biden to task in reporting the veep donated very little to charity. And, of course, O’Reilly castigated Biden for being much more willing to force others, rich people, to give up a lot more via higher taxes. O’Reilly also lambasted former Vice President Al Gore for also giving little to charity groups.

Fair enough.

Then, on Thursday, columnist Steven Kurlander took O’Reilly to task. Kurlander said O’Reilly crossed the line in ripping Biden and Gore. Among other things, Kurlander said there are many forms of charity other than reported tax-deductible contributions. And he quoted the Gospel of Matthew, which states that philanthropy should be done in quiet, not in public view for public applause.

Fair enough.

Kurlander’s criticism of O’Reilly, though, didn’t sit well with the Fox TV host. On Thursday night, O’Reilly took Kurlander to task on his national TV show, ripping him and the liberal media during his Talking Points segement.

Obviously, we are grateful to O’Reilly for giving Steven his 15 minutes. But the more curious issue is, who’s right?

Is O’Reilly coorect that Biden and Gore are charity cheapskates? Or is Kurlander right that the criticism was “mean-spirited”?